As my last personal model was finished in November, the 1/144 Queen Mary, it is very good to finally have the time to start on something new. For the last couple of months I have been renovating several models for other people and all personal projects was shelved. I concidered several model options, but as my "old" 1/350 Titanic was sold the choice felt on building a new one. And since the list of Minicraft Titanic's I have built start to get long, I wanted to do something different with this one...

Here are the first couple of photos. As you can see, I have removed the entire superstructure from the kit hull and sanded the top to smooth out the double plating. New sides have been built using sheet styrene, but in these photos only one have been fitted to the hull. The port side is cut out, but will not be added yet. Some detailing have been started, but there is a lot more remaining.

I have also done a test using rivet decals on a spare funnel, and the result was wery good. It will be nice to see the funnels fully riveted.

I have not decided yet what to use from the kit forecastle detailing, but at least not much will be used. At least the capstans (although modified) will be used. Like on my previous model, the steam winches will be built from scratch. I have already completed the #1 cargo hatch, using only the top from the kit (scratchbuilt the base). The kit's bollards are also not good enough so these will have to be rebuilt.

The forward two thirds of the A deck have now been fitted to the model, complete with expansion joints and deck beams (B deck). As I have some work remaining on the aft end of B deck the aft section of the A deck have to wait. The forward bulkhead on A deck is glued in place, but as you might see the two other bulkheads are not finished yet and just placed there for the photo. Even the #1 hatch is in place.

I really admire your craftsmanship and dedication to this genre of modelling. After lurking on here for many years I've seen plenty of your builds....all outstanding.This one is taking shape very well. I curious, how many sheets of the Scaledeck's material have you/will you use? I'm considering using this material on my future build (though perhaps the template version will be available by then).

As I go to work for 16 days from tomorrow I throw in one more update before I leave.

A deck bulkhead work basically finished. Pillars, ladders and remaing details is next on the list. Just to do something else than bulkheads I started working on the forward end of the boat deck today. Still have to add the decking but the beams and pipework are in place.

If I may offer a suggestion to improve on the decal sivering - there are several decal softening solutions from various manufacturers - poly s, modelmaster etc. which yield untold benefits to adding decals. An old trick of adding vinegar to the water that the slide is being soaked in is an inexpensive option too. I have done many armoured vehicles and motorbikes, spacecraft and trucks with multiple decals on compound curved or crossing right angled detail;s and a decal softened with any of those solutions looses the silvering as they virtually "melt" or liquify the decal film so it conforms to the uneven surface even at the miro level = no air tapped between decal and surface = no silvering effect.

Thank you all for your kind words. I am, as you, looking forward to see this model finished as I know it will be something very different from the other 1/350 models I have built. But I'm in no hurry. To make it as detailed as I want it I have to take my time.

Bill - for this model I use the uncut sheet of tinted wood. I have just used the last piece of the sheet so in total I will have used two sheets for the build.

This model looks AMAZING! I'm working on the 1/350 centennial edition, and all day I tried to mix the color for the antifouling, and I used up the pain I had available for that without a good result It's so difficult to get it right..